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Erap takes oath as ‘ex-convict mayor’ of Manila

POLITICAL COMEBACK. Former President Joseph Estrada takes his oath as Manila mayor.

MANILA, Philippines – Twelve years after he was ousted in an uprising, former President Joseph Estrada staged his political comeback, calling himself the “ex-convict mayor” of Manila.

Estrada, 76, took his oath as the chief executive of the Philippine capital on Sunday, June 30, exactly 15 years after he was sworn in as the Philippines’ 13th president.

His close ally, resigned Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, administered his oath of office. Estrada's running mate, re-elected Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno, also took his oath before Acting Senate President Jinggoy Estrada, along with 36 Manila councilors.

Watch the oath-taking here:

The popular movie star-turned-politician began his inaugural address in typical colorful fashion, cracking jokes about his ouster and conviction for plunder in 2007.

“This is another historic milestone for the city of Manila. For the first time, Manila will have an ex-convict as your city mayor,” Estrada told a crowd that included Vice President Jejomar Binay, family, political allies, former Cabinet members, and Manila city hall employees.

“Kung ako man ay ex-convict ito ay dahil sa aking prinsipyo. (If I were convicted, it was out of principle.) I feel that I am in good company with Nelson Mandela of South Africa, Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia, Aung San Suu Kyi of Myanmar, and our own Sen Ninoy Aquino who was also convicted by a military court.”

“We were all convicted that is why we are now all men of conviction,” Estrada quipped.

MANILA COUNCILORS. Thirty-six councilors of Manila also took their oath before Acting Senate President Jinggoy Estrada.

‘Anti-corruption centerpiece of my admin’

Estrada was impeached, detained, and convicted for allegedly receiving payoffs from illegal gambling. Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo though pardoned him just weeks after he was convicted in 2007.

“The fight against corruption will be the centerpiece of my administration. We will clean up our police force to see to it that they will be Manila’s finest, not Manila’s worst,” he said in his speech.

The new Manila mayor cited a study of University of the Philippines professors and police reports about the high poverty, unemployment and car theft incidence in Manila.

“Ang mahihirap ay tinutulungan, hindi kinokotongan. Dito sa Maynila, ang mahihirap ang amo ni Erap,” said the leader who branded himself a champion of the masses. (We must help the poor, not steal from them. Here in Manila, Erap’s boss is the poor.)

Estrada also called on businessmen to install CCTV in commercial establishments to help the city government fight crime. He urged his councilors to pass an ordinance for this purpose.

In his first 100 days, Estrada vowed to clear the streets of vendors that cause traffic. “My proposal is to have a night market.”

Estrada also promised to address the city’s notorious flooding problem.

“We will start cleaning our waterways to mitigate flooding. We will do this in line with a clear climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction mitigation program. We must learn our lesson from last year …. We will give full attention to the dredging of esteros and we will relocate those living there to a safer place.”

Estrada said the city government will cooperate with President Aquino’s plan of relocating informal settlers living near waterways. He also thanked Binay, the housing czar, for promising to assist in the effort.

The former President also promised to improve health care by raising revenues and tax collection.

Estrada said his government will expedite the release of business permits and licenses.

“There are problems left and right that’s why investors and businessmen transfer to other cities and leave Manila.”

‘From gates of hell to premiere city’

Estrada said the plan to renew Manila includes an admission of the city’s numerous problems.

(Are we still surprised that Dan Brown calls Manila the gates of hell? Many are still in a state of denial, but to me this is a wake up call so our cry is wake up Manila, rise Manila, move forward Manila!)

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